Creation of the series began way back in 1995, when Edinburgh-based DMA Design (now Rockstar North) started work on the title Race'n'Chase - a top-down driving game designed by brothers Dan and Sam Houser that saw players attempt to escape police of three fictional US cities. The concept, mired by development concerns and delays, eventually evolved to become Grand Theft Auto - kicking off a video game series that has since sold over 150 million copies.

A release date for the drama - which will focus on the "controversies" of the game - is yet to be announced, but it should air on BBC Two before the end of the year.